In the movie, Kevin plays a widower who finds himself in a custody battle over his granddaughter with the child's paternal grandmother (Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer). Lily sings in the movie.

"She's a beautiful singer," Kevin told ET. "Originally someone else was going to sing Black or White, but they wanted more money than I had. Finally it turned out to be better."

The Oscar winner was flanked by both his daughter and wife of a decade Christine Baumgartner at the Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday, where Christine donned a sheer black top and midi skirt and Lily opted for a show-stopping salmon-colored gown with a thigh-high slit.

Kevin's family entourage for the night was fitting as the movie deals with familial issues, but it also tackles love and race in modern America -- a topic Kevin was passionate about showing on the big screen.

"We're good at looking backwards -- Selma-- but Black or White seemed to be an authentic look at where we're at in the country today with race," Kevin said.

The 60-year-old actor also acted as a producer on the film, investing his own money to ensure that the movie got made. After the movie was made, it was brought to St. Louis where Kevin appeared at a local screening. Kevin explained why it was important to bring the movie there in light of the racial unrest in Ferguson.

"People watched it and said they could have a conversation," Kevin said. "People watched it and actually laughed. People said they cried. I'm not afraid of the movie. That's why I made it. I'm not afraid to take it to St. Louis."